Branson Against Animals in Captivity

I’ve instructed Virgin Holidays not to deal with any organisation that do not pledge that they will never again take cetaceans from the sea. We hope other holiday companies will follow suit. – Richards Branson against animal captivity

Branson Against Animal Captivity

Virgin Holidays pledged in 2014 that it will no longer book with any organisation that won’t guarantee that they won’t display dolphins and whales that are taken from the wild.

This includes any park or aquarium that takes the orcas, belugas, false killer whales, pilot whales, and dolphins caught around the world. Countries such as Cub a, Honduras, Russia, Japan, and the Solomon Islands openly catch dolphins and whales for the display trade, and others such as Mexico are lax in allowing dolphin brokers to get “scientific research” permits for capture.

Branson goes on to say:

Since – I believe – that animals bred in captivity cannot safely be released, we will examine what is best to do with this issue and others in the engagement process. As part of the process I will personally visit some of these facilities around the world.

News of Richard Branson against animal captivity, with his very public stance by boycotting organisations involved in this practice, sends a strong signal to those involved.

Article Source: Richard Branson

The Fate of Captive Orcas

Orcas, or killer whales, have been been kept in captivity since 1961. During this time it is estimated that at least 156 have been taken from the wild, of which 128 have died. Male orcas live to an average of 30 years and 46 years for females in the wild.

Latest figures released in January 2017 show there are 61 orcas still being held in captivity. Of these 28 are wild-captured with 33 being captive-born. These are being held in at least 14 marine parks in 8 different countries.